From Spoofed Hip-Hop Videos to Intimate Rapper Portraits

Informative biopics, hilarious spoofs and touching portrait tributes are a few of the ways that are shedding light on modern hip-hop in the media.

With major rappers, DJs and hip-hop artists topping the charts, brands are embracing marketing tactics that include these musicians, many of which are known for being edgy. For instance, at the beginning of the year, Nicky Minaj graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in an understated getup rather than her usual over-the-top attire. Similarly, Toronto is home to several billboard advertisements that make references to the city's own Drake with phrases like: "The 6 God is Watching" or "For God So Loved the 6."

In order to easily equate parts of hip-hop culture to other aspects of pop culture, mashups are being made. This is best exhibited by a series of comic book covers put out by Marvel that celebrates decades of album art from iconic rap and hip-hop artists.